Farmers Bank of State of Delaware v. Howard

DUFFY, Chancellor.

The question for decision is whether a joint tenancy was created in a bank account before the death of the depositor.

A

Prior to July 8, 1967, Sadie Cooper Rust had a savings account in the Farmers Bank with a balance of $8,687.45. On that day she directed the Bank to add the name of Mildred Howard to the account but specifically directed that Mrs. Howard not be told of this. Mrs. Rust signed a signature card reading in part as follows:

“IT IS HEREBY stipulated and agreed that this account is a joint account, subject to withdrawal by any one of the depositors in this account…